Bentheim Castle is a towering landmark which can be seen from miles around. The town's location on the German/Dutch border means that there once were hundreds of windmills and watermills here, of which a few remain even today. The Franciscan Monastery in the village of Bardel also has its own story to tell.Bentheim Castle
It is hard to imagine the townscape of Bad Bentheim without its majestic castle. For centuries this striking architectural monument has been the defining image of the town as it can be seen from miles away. This fortress, originally constructed for defence purposes, has an interesting history. It was first mentioned in 1050 in the Essen-Werder tax register. The well-preserved castle buildings, with their mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles of architecture, attract many visitors. From the top of the 30 metre-high keep, also known as the "gun powder tower", you can see far into the neighbouring state of Westphalia and also the Netherlands on a clear day.Gildehaus East Mill and Bakehouse
Mills were one of the first machines used by man that were driven purely by the forces of nature. The Gildehaus East Mill is a Dutch tower windmill. It was built between 1749 and 1750 from Bentheim sandstone and boasts a long and interesting history. Today it is operated and maintained by amateur millers. When the wind is right for milling, amateur bakers in the old bakehouse next door make crusty bread from the freshly milled wheat.Brazilian Museum and Stamp Museum
These two museums are located in the Franciscan Monastery in the village of Bardel. The Brazilian Museum focuses on the work of the Franciscan monks in the North and North East of Brazil. The exhibits relate to the cultural, economic, religious and ethnic origins of Brazil. Well worth seeing are the artefacts of indigenous origin as well as cult objects from Afro-American religions. A visit to the Stamp Museum will provide you with an understanding of Christian motifs on stamps. There are around 10,000 stamps on different religious themes on display in the museum.